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Griezmann renews Atletico Madrid contract after rejecting Barcelona

18 June 2018 23:14

Antoine Griezmann has reaffirmed his desire to stay at Atletico Madrid, rejecting interest from Barcelona, by signing a new contract to 2023.

In a sensational triple announcement on Monday, the club also confirmed Thomas Lemar has agreed terms for his move from Monaco, while Lucas Hernandez joined Griezmann in renewing his deal, the defender's fresh terms running until 2024.

Monaco had already confirmed a preliminary agreement with Atletico for Lemar's arrival at the Wanda Metropolitano, with the France star now putting pen to paper ahead of the move's expected conclusion in a switch that will add to Diego Simeone's array of options.

Atletico were able to rebuff Barcelona and keep hold of Griezmann after the forward - a two-goal hero in the Europa League final - announced his intention to stay.

On the eve of France's World Cup bow against Australia, in which Griezmann scored a penalty, he confirmed he planned to remain with Atletico in a special documentary televised in Spain.

And the 27-year-old will now able to put his full focus on joining Lucas and Lemar in attempting to lead Les Bleus to World Cup glory.

Griezmann's deal was set to run to 2022 but for the second year in a row he has agreed to extend - signing for a further year - after opting not to pursue interest from Barcelona.

The Catalan giants reportedly hoped to attract Griezmann to Camp Nou in 2017 but he opted to stay then, citing Atletico's transfer ban and the club's inability to replace him as his reasoning to remain.

Griezmann, previously also linked with a switch to the Premier League by joining Manchester United, had been widely expected to sign for LaLiga champions Barca ahead of the 2018-19 campaign, though.

But Simeone and Atletico have been able to keep hold of the club's talisman again, with the arrival of Lemar from Monaco, coupled with the renewal of Lucas, offering excitement to fans.